{
  "id": "zbd-04a",
  "name": "ZBD-04A",
  "aliases": [],
  "domain": "land",
  "country": "CHN",
  "category": "Amphibious infantry fighting vehicle",
  "status": "in-service",
  "fielded": 2011,
  "operators": [
    "CHN"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 1,
  "summary": "TheZBD-04A Chinese Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) is a modern tracked infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) developed by NORINCO for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) as an improved variant of the earlier ZBD-04 amphibious IFV.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Manufacturer",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "Norinco",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 3,
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "length_m",
      "v": 7.52,
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "width_m",
      "v": 3.4,
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "height_m",
      "v": 2.53,
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_name",
      "v": "404 kW (541 bhp) six-cylinder",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_hp",
      "v": 590,
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "road_range_km",
      "v": 600,
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_road_kmh",
      "v": 75,
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_xc_kmh",
      "v": 50,
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_swim_kmh",
      "v": 6,
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fording depth",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "1.4 m",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Suspension",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "Traditional torsion bar configuration, with each side having six dual rubber-tired road wheels and a driver sprocket at the front, idler at the rear, and track return rollers. Only the upper part of the suspension is covered.",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Rate of fire (max)",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "8-10 rds/min",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Maximum elevation",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "+60 deg",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Minimum elevation",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "-6 deg",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fire control system",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Advanced FCS, Name: INA; Enabling the FCS is an optical mast mounted in between the missile pods that can be extended above the vehicle to observe the effect on target as well as identify targets. The optical suite is equipped with a camera and LRF, as well as an I",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Computerized FCS",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes, integrated ballistic computer enabling aiming and firing on-the-move.",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thermal (Vehicle Commander)",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes, panoramic sight",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thermal (Gunner)",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes, panoramic sight",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Main Gun Stabilization",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Armor Material",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Welded steel and modular armor panels",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Hull Armor (Front)",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "The hull is built from welded steel and modular armor panels, believed to be composite based on the weight of the vehicle are added to the sides and front. The front of the hull is believed to provide protection against 30 mm projectiles fi",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Hull Armor (Side)",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Modular armor, assessed to be composite.",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Hull Armor (Rear and Roof)",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "The rear and roof are thought to provide protection from only 7.62 mm AP projectiles and artillery fragments.",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Under the Hull Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "The bottom of the hull is reinforced in comparison with the ZBD-04, and it is believed to provide protection from small anti-tank mines. Protection from 7.62mm AP projectiles and artillery fragments. The ZBD-04A withstands mine blasts equiv",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Applique Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes, added to the front and sides of the hull",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Explosive reactive armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Active Protection System",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes, features a multi-spectral IR countermeasures package mounted on top of the turret. Technical capability details unknown.",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "NBC Protection",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Smoke Equipment",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes, includes a bank of three electrically operated grenade launchers is mounted either side of the turret.",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "main_armament",
      "v": "100 mm 2A70 rifled gun/missile launcher,",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "armament",
      "label": "Secondary armament",
      "v": "30 mm 2A72 (Shipunov 2A42); PK 7.62mm Machine Gun (Pulemyot Kalashnikova)",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "range_max_km",
      "v": 7,
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Maximum firing range",
      "note": "Longest-range ammunition listed"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [
    {
      "name": "100 mm Projectile",
      "role": "ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {},
      "range_km": 7,
      "qty": "41 (Inclusive of guided missiles)"
    },
    {
      "name": "100 mm Projectile",
      "role": "ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {},
      "range_km": 4,
      "qty": "41 (Inclusive of guided missiles)"
    },
    {
      "name": "Auto-cannon",
      "role": "30x165 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "960 m/s",
        "Armor penetration": "Yes"
      },
      "qty": "INA"
    }
  ],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "ZBD-04A AT (AFT-10 Anti-Tank Missile Car",
      "text": "ZBD-04A's chassis works as the mobile launching platform for AFT-10 (HJ-10) anti-tank missile. Noted the AFT-10 is a specific version of HJ-10 missile that designed for firing from vehicle launching platform such as ZBD-",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "ZBD-04A Command Vehicle",
      "text": "Modified from original ZBD-04A, featuring a crew cabin with higher ceiling.",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "ZBD-04A Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle",
      "text": "Equipped with radars and electric-optic sights for battlefield surveillance, the chassis of the Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle is modified from standard ZBD-04A. The recon equipment is mounted on a retractable mast.",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "ZBD-04A Armored Recovery Vehicle",
      "text": "Equipped with a crane for emergency vehicle service.",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "VN12",
      "text": "Export variant based on ZBD-04A.",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-04a"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "ifv",
  "image": {
    "file": "zbd-04a.jpg",
    "thumb": "zbd-04a-thumb.jpg",
    "credit": "Tyg728",
    "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
    "url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ZBD-04A_IFV_20170716.jpg",
    "title": "File:ZBD-04A IFV 20170716.jpg"
  },
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-04",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-10-05",
      "change": "Added photo (CC BY-SA 4.0)"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/zbd-04a.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-zbd-04a": {
      "title": "ZBD-04A Chinese Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/ZBD-04A_Chinese_Amphibious_Infantry_Fighting_Vehicle",
      "published": "2026-07-13",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}